Tom and I had talked about going to the top of "the Peak" since we got here, but wanted to wait for a perfectly clear day so we could take advantage of the views. "The Peak" is actually "Victoria Peak," and it's the tallest mountain on the island of HK, although it's about half as tall as the tallest mountain in the entirety of the SAR. The top of the Peak used to be the exclusive address to have in HK, and the only way residents could travel between their homes and downtown was via sedan chair (or on foot -- but they wouldn't want to get their fancy clothes all sweaty walking up 500 meters every day).
An enterprising chap came up with the brilliant plan to build a tram to the top of the mountain instead, and that began operating on a steam basis in 1888. Sometime in the 20th century they switched to electricity, and essentially that's what exists today: tram cars pulled up and down the mountain on cables thanks to electric power.
Like most things in HK, it's extremely touristy at this point -- but still very cool. The car goes up a very steep gradient while you hang on inside for dear life (it's enclosed, so you're not actually in danger, but still...) and stare out the windows at the skyscrapers getting smaller and smaller below you. When you get to the top, you come out into (what else?) a mall. But you can leave the mall and the Starbucks behind, and walk around on your own to peer at some very posh apartment buildings and a few colonial structures, and take in the view.
Oh, the view. It really is pretty damn awesome (that's right readers, I said "damn" instead of "darn" -- that's how cool it is). You stare down over the tops of hundreds of incredible skyscrapers and the harbor, and any kind of weather that is making its way over the city is visible from miles away. The perspective makes the skyscrapers kind of shimmery, because it's a bit bizarre to be looking at them from the top. Plus, when we went there was a stiff breeze blowing, which was such a welcome change from the oppressive humidity of the city that I could have stared at any view for hours.
We walked around a shady trail for awhile which circles the mountain, and managed to head back down without purchasing anything or succumbing to the "Bubba Gump Shrimp Co." restaurant (with table signs saying "Run, Forrest, Run" -- seriously, the pieces of American culture that HK has chosen to adopt are downright silly sometimes). But I've heard rumors that a professor at my school begins each morning with a brisk hike up to the Peak, and it makes me want to go back (if not every morning... :-)).
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